How Do Odysseus Act Heroic Acts

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What is a heroic act? According to Merriam-Webster, it is defined as "exhibiting or marked by courage and daring". But does this mean Odysseus acts heroically? Well, throughout "The Odyssey", "The Most Dangerous Game" and the song "Holding out for a Hero" heroic acts are discussed and performed frequently. Helping us to get a better idea of what being a hero and acting heroically really means.

To begin, in "Holding out for a Hero" by Bonnie Tyler, she talks about how she is holding out for a hero and describes what makes a hero. In the song she states that "He's gotta be strong, and he's gotta be fast". This applies to Odysseus because these are two qualities that he possesses. Odysseus is described as one of the strongest men of his time

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Stories of heroes and acts of heroism have become a staple throughout the history of story-telling, existing in all human cultures and reflecting the value systems of both modern and ancient societies. While these stories have provided outstanding entertainment to audiences, they have additionally educated viewers on the attributes that define a hero. Being the most renowned out of all literary works, the narratives centered around the heroic acts of Odysseus and Beowulf are notable exemplifications…

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constitutes a heroic act? A heroic act is when someone shows extreme courage. Whether it is when saving lives or when undertaking actions desperately as a last resort. In my opinion, Odysseus was extremely heroic. But, he also had moments where he was a coward. For example, in book 9 of the Odyssey, he was very heroic. Odysseus and his men were trapped in the Polyphemus, the Cyclops cave. There was a huge rock covering the cave entrance, trapping the men in there. In this book, Odysseus would be known…

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A heroic act often involves bravery, self-sacrifice, and standing up for others no matter what, even in the face of danger. Others often admire heroic people because of how they are and how they show extreme bravery in who they are. As for Odysseus, he's a mix. He is clever like the Trojan Horse, and endorses a lot to return home to Ithica. He's also flawed and gets over his head at times. He lets his pride and anger get the best of him throughout his journey home. There are a few stories to which…

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epic hero, Odysseus, undergoes many situations and adventures. Toward the end of the book, after finally arriving to his home of Ithaca, Odysseus is exposed to those who infringe his island. Odysseus now has to consider decisions on how to punish these people who have created such a dilemma at his castle. Odysseus’ deportment at the end of the book is unjustifiable; his punishments do not fit the crimes, he acts like a hypocrite, and he does not have good judgement. In The Odyssey, Odysseus’ punishments…

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have a strong love for their people and a spirit of sacrifice (Mădălina 3). Odysseus is believed to be a great Greek hero who encompasses these ideals, yet his actions in the ten years following the Trojan War say otherwise. Rather than a great hero, Odysseus is a great trickster, “recognized by certain traits: malice, slyness, cunning, greed and an inclination to cheat and use spells or illusion” (Zieliski 3). Odysseus is continuously disloyal to Penelope and his country. He uses trickery and deception…

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traits a hero has, Odysseus simply doesn’t have. In The Odyssey there are a lot of moments when Odysseus has a chance to show his true character traits. In most of these moments, Odysseus tries to get himself out first, then the rest of his crew. In The Odyssey, written by Homer, Odysseus should not be considered a hero. This should be the case because on numerous occasions he gets his men killed due to his pride in himself or his concern for his own safety over his men’s. Odysseus pride gets his crew…

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article “What Really Is A Hero, Anyway”, Arhur Ashe stated, “Heroes are people who transform compassion into heroic actions”(Dilbeck 1). Heroes can be an ordinary person who help you throughout life and can lead you on the best path of life. They can also be a special person who is there for you at the time of need. Odysseus is king of Ithaca and a man of honor for the Ithaca people . Odysseus goes on a journey but on his journey he tries to get back home , but on his journey home, he cheated on his…

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Unlike Medea, she does not play as prominent of a role in the story, but her character is still hugely crucial to the story. She alone provided the motivation for Odysseus to return to Ithaca. Penelope waited faithfully for her husbands return for twenty years. She outsmarted many prospective suitors for three years by telling them all that she would choose a suitor to marry when she was ﬁnished with the burial shroud…

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